For an estimated half a million Americans, the decrease in temperatures during the late fall and winter season also drags down their mood. This depression disorder is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), doesn’t seem to strike as big of a toll on the Danish population though, as evident through Denmark’s consist top ranking in international happiness surveys, even through the winter months, according to a report by Psychology Today.
Using the cold weather to instead seek out warmth and coziness indoors with close friends and family, Danes put the Danish concept of hygge (pronounced “hooga”) to use. Hygge has no direct translation, but means something similar to “coziness’. The Danes utilize two aspects in their every day life to promote a warm and comfortable environment — well-decorated interiors and well-lit rooms.[vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_text_separator title=”Bearing News asked students, “What is one of your happiness habits?“” color=”green” border_width=”2″][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][TS-VCSC-Image-Overlay image=”277546″ hover_type=”ts-imagehover-style5″ overlay_handle_color=”#2bb673″ title=”Kayla West, freshman” message=”“I like to listen to Chris Daughtry. It just kind of calms me down and takes me out of my stress zone.“” button_style=”false”][TS-VCSC-Image-Overlay image=”277542″ hover_type=”ts-imagehover-style5″ overlay_handle_color=”#2bb673″ title=”Alyssa Carinder, junior” message=”“I hang out with my family. I just watch TV with them or talk with them. We’re really busy people, so watching TV together is nice.“” button_style=”false”][TS-VCSC-Image-Overlay image=”277547″ hover_type=”ts-imagehover-style5″ overlay_handle_color=”#2bb673″ title=”Taryn Ramadoss, junior” message=”“When I’m not happy, I usually watch soccer or play soccer, and it just helps me focus on something else.“” button_style=”false”][TS-VCSC-Image-Overlay image=”277543″ hover_type=”ts-imagehover-style5″ overlay_handle_color=”#2bb673″ title=”Cassie Hunter, senior” message=”“I like to watch ‘Lets Plays’, like people playing video games and stuff, and their commentary just makes me laugh.“”][TS-VCSC-Image-Overlay image=”277545″ hover_type=”ts-imagehover-style5″ overlay_handle_color=”#2bb673″ title=”Devyn Breeden, senior” message=”“Usually I try to hang with my friends, mostly my dad, and family. It doesn’t take much; just being around them makes me happier.“” button_style=”false”][TS-VCSC-Image-Overlay image=”277544″ hover_type=”ts-imagehover-style5″ overlay_handle_color=”#2bb673″ title=”Cheyenne James, sophomore” message=”“I listen to music. Depending on the situation, I listen to slow music or uplifting music.“” button_style=”false”]